Webinars & Resources, Excavations, Lake Nemi Tunnels, climbing Mount Olympus, the Parthenon Conceptual Pyramid, an Ancient Greek ID Parade, enquiries and future plans – with Government hoping to lift moratorium on School Trips in April!
Ernesto Biondi, Saturnalia. 1909
Eventually, 2020 draws to a close on a note of hope; a long-awaited vaccine, imminent inoculations and news of a possible resumption of overnight School Trips in April!
“In February 2021, we will review the possibility of changing our advice for overnight residential education visits to resume from Easter 2021 on the proviso the scientific evidence supports any such change. This advice will therefore be reviewed and updated again in February 2021.” Government Spokesperson.
This time last year we had so many plans for a Hellene refurb. “If only we could have a breathing space to regroup”. Oh, how we laughed…
Well, our wish was certainly answered, a refurb became a relaunch and with our own travel plans disrupted, we had a lot of time to prepare.
The new Web Site has been well received, similarly the inaugural Puntastic Pictorial Quiz; do check out the overall winner & recipient of £100.00 for books (wine or chocolate), honourable mentions and humorous responses. Thanks to all Staff and Pupils for your contributions!
It’s fabulous to be receiving a steady stream of enquiries for end of Summer Term and Autumn Half Term 2021 as this means you are feeling positive and we will be able to repay our moral debts to friends, clients and overseas contacts. Agents, Hoteliers, Coach Drivers and Tavernas are champing at the bit, “We are in agony awaiting your arrival.”
We hope soon to report back from Athens and Rome, with an extended Greek Trip planned for April and Campania thereafter. A recce is also planned for Castelli Romani.
Although we have previously visited Lake Nemi, Nautical Museum (Caligula’s Barges) and Temple to Diana, we had neglected the amphitheatre, were sadly in total ignorance of the Roman drainage tunnels and need to see the new excavations. It’s time to revisit, rectify omissions and plan an additional excursion suitable for Classicists and Geographers alike. More updates in 2021!
Whilst we’ve all been following the exciting developments at Pompeii (the city which keeps on giving: keep up to date with developments in Regio V), events continue apace in Greece also.
Extra funding has been allocated for the ancient theatres of Sikyon and Messene to improve visitor experience, eight Tombs have been found on private land in Ilia, Peloponnese, ongoing excavations at Epidavros have expanded our understanding of the Temenos, the Akropolis has a new lighting system (with the added advantage of ‘illuminating’ entasis and other optical illusions) and the lift has eventually been installed!
The British School at Athens in conjunction with Warwick Classics continues to expand their GCSE & A’Level video resources for Teachers: Introduction to the Homeric World/Mycenae/Tiryns/Tomb of Clytemnestra/Death and Burial
We’ve recently enjoyed “Thebes: the (nearly) lost city of Ancient Greece”, “Dreaming of Entopia: Constantinos Doxiadis in Pakistan”, “Using emmenagogues and abortifacients in Modern Greece, 1930-1967”and “Excavation archives in 3D: Digital documentation and curation workflows“ jam packed full of Classics, Archaeology and STEM!
“New Discoveries and New Problems in Greek Religion” is a must for Teachers and we look forward to the Xmas Lecture “In Search of the Goddess of Love – by Land and Sea” with Bettany Hughes. Why not sign up? Contact Nick Salmon if you have any questions.
As ever, for all your Classical Needs, don’t forget Stephen Jenkin of the Classical Library and Dr. Cora-Beth Knowles weekly roundup of Classical Studies Support and amazing series of Comfort Classics Interviews.
Should you require some End of Term levity, do try this Ancient Greek ID Parade. How many of the 12 Philosophers, Politicians, Poets and Mathematicians can you identify? We only manged a miserably embarrassing six.
Finally, may we suggest a little escapism. During the Summer a young Durham Classicist climbed Mount Olympus – twice. It’s a fabulously uplifting 45mins read – enjoy!
Rules and Regulations will doubtless continue to change both here and abroad. Travel protocols, airline schedules and prices are in flux. We also now have Brexit to add to the mix – updates of which we will attempt to provide in the New Year.
However, whatever changes and onerous commitments are thrust upon us by those on high, rest assured that before you travel, we will have experienced it first – bar climbing Mount Olympus!
Thank you for your support – it’s great to be back.
Stay safe! Stay creative!
Best Wishes,
Sarah and John
Hellene School Travel
Tel: 01342 324727